A few days before the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics, the first official of the state went to Palazzo Marino and La Scala where he met, among others, Kirst Coventry. In between there was also a visit to Niguarda, to say goodbye to the boys injured in Crans-Montana
It’s Sergio Mattarella’s Olympics: Milano Cortina 2026 opens under the sign of the President of the Republic. On the first day of the week leading up to the opening of the XXV Winter Games and the first competitions, it is he – a great sports fan – who takes center stage.
at Palazzo Marino
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There is an eerie silence when the presidential procession, at 5.25pm, arrives in Piazza della Scala, in the heart of the Lombard capital. The area is not only closed to traffic: it is also closed to pedestrians. An armored quadrilateral: the shops boarded up, the shutters lowered. It’s drizzling and the darkness, with the streetlights still off, is about to take over the (little) light of day. It’s like being in a story by Dino Buzzati: everything is suspended. Crackling of radios, flashing lights. On the door of Palazzo Marino, the Olympic and Paralympic logos alongside, doing the honours, tricolor band clearly visible, is the mayor Giuseppe Sala. A few handshakes and then the entrance into the Alessi room, where waiting for the President are the members of the IOC who are inaugurating the 145th session today and tomorrow at the Allianz MiCo. Also on the agenda is the latest update from the organizing committee. Absent aside, there are 106 effective members, 39 honorary members and 2 honorary ones. They are led by president Kirsty Coventry: in the morning she was at the Village, where she met the Italian team and the Athletes’ Commission. Mattarella, however, surprisingly, was in Niguarda, where he visited the boys injured in Crans-Montana and their families and thanked the doctors and nurses.
to the ladder
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Welcome ceremony, ritual photo and then, just before 7pm, the (brief) transfer to La Scala. When Mattarella makes his entrance last, everyone stands up. There are, among others, the president of the Chamber, Lorenzo Fontana, the minister of Sport, Andrea Abodi, the number one of Coni, Luciano Buonfiglio, the president of the Milano Cortina Foundation, Giovanni Malagò, the governor of Lombardy, Attilio Fontana, that of Veneto, Alberto Stefani and his predecessor Luca Zaia. The Olympic anthem and that of Mameli resound. Then, introduced by the former British sprinter Jeanette Kwakye and the former swimmer Massimiliano Rosolino, the official speakers. Buonfiglio: «It is the fourth time that Italy hosts the Games, but the first in which a former Olympian is at the top of CONI. For me, in addition to being an honor, it is a burden towards all the athletes. I dedicate my action to them.” Malagò: «The Games coincide with one of the most difficult and conflicted moments in recent history. This makes them even more significant. The message of peace, brotherhood and fair competition will resonate in every corner of the world.” Coventry: «May the Olympic spirit pervade the streets of Milan and Cortina and the hearts of all the people of the country». And, finally, Mattarella: «We will offer hospitality, identity, culture, friendship and cordiality. But we ask with stubborn determination that the Olympic truce be respected.” The orchestra conducted by Riccardo Chailly, the voice of the baritone Riccardo Salsi, the notes of Giuseppe Verdi and Gioachino Rossini: here is the first touch of Italianness. Mattarella can only be proud of it. He will return to the city soon: on Thursday he will have lunch with the Azzurri at the Village, he will have dinner with other Heads of State at the Fabbrica del Vapore and on Friday he will be at the inauguration at San Siro. His Olympics continues.
